The capital of Catalonia, the intersection of Central and Southern Europe - a town between hyper modernity and tradition. Those who arrive by plane, Barcelona may already know it from the landing. In front is the Mediterranean Sea, the sides limit the gentle mountain ranges. Striking skyscrapers and ultra-modern tower buildings stand out from the maze of alleys of the Gothic town. Unmistakable: Barcelona (1.5 million inhabitants) is a highly attractive place full of contrasts.

Rambla Even if the pedestrian is only slightly more than one kilometer long: On this short route between Plaça de Catalunya and the port you see the different faces of the city. You can feel the atmosphere and rhythm of life, history and future of Barcelona. Without stopping there is a colorful human power on the Rambla. Birds and flowers scent; housewives, executives with stressed faces, street musicians, opera visitors, tourists, the homeless, prostitutes, fortune tellers, pickpockets. On both sides of the street with his portrait painters, newspaper, flower and bird vendors, there is traffic chaos. Historic buildings stand next to rundown hotels and luxurious inns, modernist art nouveau palaces and shops next to tasteless fast food restaurants and kitschy souvenir shops.

Montjuïc The 173 m high mountain in Barcelona can not be ignored from history, culture and attractions of the city. Today the site is so big and rich of attractions that you should make concrete goals. The Font Magica: a huge art-deco fountain, which offers some evenings a fascinating drama of water, light, color and music (May-Sept. Thu-Sun 8pm-11:30pm, music and lights 9.30pm-11pm in half-hourly rhythm, mid-September, until the end of April 7pm-9pm Fri-Sat music and lights at half-hour rhythm).

Parc Güell Fairytale houses, dragon figures, huge caves: The by Antoni Gaudí built, based on the picturesque city park, which inspired Dali, was adopted and protected by the UNESCO in 1984 as a World Heritage. March and Nov. daily 10am-7pm, April and Oct. daily 10am-8pm, May-Sept. daily 10am-9pm. Carrer d'Olot, Metro: Lesseps (L3), Alfonso X (L4)

Barri Gòtic The Gothic Quarter, the "heart of Barcelona," testifies to its architectural splendor of the heyday of Catalonia as a Mediterranean power party.

Sagrada Família The atonement temple, dedicated to the Holy Family, became a world famous landmark of Barcelona. April to Sept. daily 9am-8pm, Oct.-March daily 9am-6pm, entrance 8 Euro. Lift 2 Euro Plaça de la Sagrada Família, Metro: Sagrada Família (L2, L5)

shopping                                                                                                                                                                    Old Town Atmospheric look at antique shops in the medieval alleyways of the former Jewish district in the Carrer de la Palla and in the alley Banys Nous.                                                                                                                                                     Diagonal Mar This three-level mall has an airy marine theme and a sea-facing roof terrace filled with cafés and restaurants of the fast-food variety. Other anchor stores here include Zara, Mango and FNAC. There are also a bowling alley, exhibitions, concerts. Shops 10am-10pm Mon-Sat. Avda Diagonal 3                                                                                                                      El Corte Ingles With its cult-like grip on the Spanish consumer consciousness, El Corte Ingles has become synonymous with the phrase ‘department store’ since gobbling the last of the competition in the early 1990s. The monolithic Placa Catalunya branch has nine floors of fashion, beauty and home decor, a seventh-floor cafe and a decent supermarket in the basement with services from currency exchange to key-cutting. 10am-10pm Mon-Sat. Placa Catalunya 14

food                                                                                                                                                                           Cal Pep Fish and seafood are available at this popular very good restaurant. Everything is fresh prepared right in front of your eyes. Sun closed. Plaça de les Olles, Metro: Barceloneta (L4)                                                                                                        Casa Leopoldo Since the World Expo 1929 this restaurant is an institution. Comfortably-rustic atmosphere. Traditional Catalan kitchen, market-fresh, reliably good. Mon closed. Sant Rafael, 24, Metro: Paral·lel (L3)                                                     Neichel Mecca for ambitious gourmets. A happy combination of Mediterranean kitchen, culinary imagination and the highest refinement. Menu from 69 Euro on. Mon closed. Beltrán i Rózpide, Metro: María Cristina (L3)

where to stay                                                                                                                                                              Majestic Nobel classic Barcelona hostel. Modern comfort, combined with the flair of the 19th century. On the Boulevard Passeig de Gracia. Pool on the rooftop. 303 rooms. Passeig de Gràcia, 70, Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4)                                            Banys Orientals Small rooms with large beds. Minimalist furnished. For location and comfort very favorable. 43 rooms. Argenteria, 32, Metro: Jaume I (L4)                                                                                                                                                  Sant Agusti Nice hotel in a renovated monastery building from the 17th century, on a typical place of the Raval. Rustic and romantic Old Town flair. 75 rooms. Placa Sant Agustí, 3, Metro: Liceu (L3)                                                                                           Hotel Atrium Palace Housed in an attractive old building, this is a modern, light-filled and cutting-edge hotel with an unstuffy atmosphere. Rooms, decorated in a minimalist attire of creams and browns, narrowly sidestep sterility thanks to plenty of wood and token fresh flowers. Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 656, Metro Passeig de Gracia.                                                                    Hotel Espana The lower floors at this Modernista landmark were designed by architect Domenechi Montaner in 1902. The bedrooms might disappoint after all this grandeur, but they have been considerably improved of late. C/Sant Pau 9-11. Metro Liceu

Plane Barcelona is one hub of Iberia. The best and most convenient way to get to the city center is the Aerobus, it drives every 15 minutes between the airport and Plaça Catalunya (stops at Sants station and Plaça Espanya). Departures 5.30am (Sat, Sun 6am) until 12:15am from Plaza de Catalunya and 6am (Sat, Sun 6.30am) to 1am from the airport (3.75 Euro, ride lasts about 30 to 45 minutes). A taxi costs 25 Euro.

Train By train, there are direct connections from Paris, Milan and Zurich.

Public Transport Cheap and fast you move around with the metro: Mon-Sat and Sun and holidays from 5am to 12am, Friday and Saturday until 2am. A single ticket costs 1.20 Euro. Meanwhile, the bus stops have clear timetables, so you can go well around by bus - at least outside the rushhour. From the pier at Old Harbor until Montjuïc operates a monorail.